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Canadian International Mail Association (CIMA)- CIMA Congratulates the Federal Government on Introduction of Legislation to Amend the Canada Post Corporation Act

New legislation will save thousands of Canadian jobs and hundreds of
businesses
OTTAWA, Oct. 31 /CNW Telbec/ - The Canadian International Mail
Association (CIMA) applauds the federal government introducing legislation to
amend the Canada Post Corporation Act that will acknowledge the legitimacy of
the international mailing industry, a sector that has been serving Canadians
for some 25 years. This legislation will protect thousands of jobs and
hundreds of businesses throughout the country that depend on this innovative
and entrepreneurial sector.
"The international mailing industry has worked hard to make Canada a
world-leader in this competitive market," said Gwyneth Howell, CIMA executive
director, "we employ thousands of Canadians directly and support hundreds of
small businesses that participate in our industry - mailers, printers,
lettershops, mail houses, graphic designers, direct marketers, envelope
manufacturers, transport companies and others." "The government is simply
doing the right thing", added Howell. "It has recognized the benefits that
this competitive, value-added sector brings to Canada".
For two decades Canadian companies competed successfully in a business
that is truly global. At the most basic level this industry involves delivery
of letters to destinations outside of Canada, but Canadian companies have
succeeded in becoming world-leaders by offering a suite of services from
printing to design and shipping for their clients, which has included for many
years numerous departments of the federal government. There is hardly a sector
of the economy that the industry does not touch in some way.
A few years ago Canada Post chose to take the industry to court - after
two decades of acknowledging the industry and even trying to compete in the
international mailing market. While the courts have agreed with Canada Post's
narrow interpretation of the exclusive privilege provision of the Canada Post
Corporation Act that has put the longstanding and ongoing operations of
hundreds of companies in question, the government has rightly determined that
the maintaining of this important sector is clearly in Canada's public
interest.
"This has always been about fairness, competition and common sense", said
Lou Laforet, President of Spring Global Mail. "All we have ever wanted to do
is compete fairly in this market, as we have for over 20 years. Now that the
government has acted, we look forward to growing our businesses and
contributing to the Canadian economy within an environment of certainty. We
call upon all Parliamentarians to pass this legislation quickly to protect the
livelihoods of our employees, our partner firms, and to allow us to continue
to provide the services that our customers have come to expect."
The hundreds of small Canadian businesses operating within the
international mail industry are extremely appreciative of the support received
from both Government and Opposition Members of Parliament as well as business
groups across the country, including the CFIB, Envelope Manufacturers
Association, B.C. Printing &amp; Imaging Association, Canadian Printing &amp; Imaging
Association, and various Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade.